Planning a trip the first 11-12 days of May out to Death Valley. I seem to end up out in Utah, Nevada, AZ every summer anyway and finally made it out to Death Valley last May in a car when out in Vegas last year. I'm excited to do it by bike.

I'm also hoping to make a side trip on the way to the Coronado Highway as sever monsoon rains kept my off the highway last summer when out west. Any tips, must see things, etc while heading out. Not sure of my route out from MN. Thinking of going south before going west as it's still a bit early in the year and wouldn't mind the warmer weather.

 

The way this season seams to be if you don"t have a heated jacket I would get one.

 

Hmmm, early May?
I'd head strait south to Oklahoma City via hwy 35. Then west on 40. Odds are great you won't get through the Colorado Rockies (hwy 70)due to snow at that time of the year. Hwy 212 in Utah is a great ride but again, could be snow in some portions. Also have some good rain & warm weather gear. Weather will be unpredictable.

 

Yeah, I know early May is very hit and miss and planned on heading west on US 40 more than likely. I have heated gear, so I'll be ready for that. I'd love to leave early June, but I'd really like to get to Death Valley before it heats up too much.

 

death valley would not be to hot in EARLY JUne

 

Been there several times. Stay at the Furnace Creek hotel/motel/lodge. Good place and is central to sight seeing. Once there you can get a death valley map for all the tourist attractions. Scotties Castle is a must.

 

I was in a car, but I drove south from Vegas to Searchlight, Nevada. From there I headed west through Nipton, Ca. on the Joshua Tree Hwy, and on to Barstow. It was the most surreal experience of my life. It's like a lunar landscape. I drove across at 70 mph plus, took an hour or more, and saw only one other car in that time. I felt small.